Vitamin E deficiency ataxia associated with adenoma

J Neurol Sci. 1999 Jan 1;162(1):97-101. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(98)00284-6.

Abstract

Vitamin E is one of the most important lipid-soluble antioxidant nutrient. Severe vitamin E deficiency (VED) can have a profound effect on the central nervous system. VED causes ataxia and peripheral neuropathy that resembles Friedreich's ataxia. We report here a patient presenting this syndrome, but also a prolactin and FSH adenoma. Both the neurological syndromes and the adenoma regressed after treatment with alpha-tocopherol. Although, the presence of the prolactinoma in this patient may not be related to his vitamin E deficiency, alpha-tocopherol treatment seems to be beneficial and might usefully be tested in patients with hypophyseal secreting other forms of adenoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / complications*
  • Adult
  • Ataxia / drug therapy
  • Ataxia / etiology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Microsatellite Repeats
  • Pedigree
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / complications*
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Prolactinoma / complications*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin E Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin E Deficiency / etiology*

Substances

  • Vitamin E
  • Prolactin